"It's been 10 years in the making," said Drolet, vice chairman of the memorial's foundation. "It's exceeded our expectations."

At the right entrance to the memorial park, the statue "Sacrifice" by sculptor Dan Burch of Gurley depicts soldiers of different eras dragging a wounded comrade to safety. Three local veterans - Everett Carter of Hazel Green, Jessica Newey Carter (no relation) of Huntsville and Hubble Hainline of Athens - posed for the figures.

The memorial's center fountain is surrounded on three sides by walls inscribed with a timeline of American military service that begins with the Revolutionary War. Granite markers hold the names of those from Madison County who gave their lives for their country.

Water flows over a rear wall near all the names, symbolizing the blood men and women have shed, said Mary Jane Caylor, executive director of Big Spring Partners, which has managed the project since January 2007.

She said more than $3 million and counting has been donated for the project, from major sponsoring corporations down to individuals purchasing memorial bricks. "It is something that will live on forever, a legacy we leave," she said.

And there is more to come. During ceremonies planned for the summer of 2012, a time capsule, eternal flame and another Burch statue, "Courage," will be dedicated.

"It's fantastic," Drolet said. "It's of the grandeur that you would expect when you go to Washington, D.C., but it's located here in Huntsville, Alabama.

"That's only fitting," he said, "because you can't find a community that has a better relationship and is more supportive of the veterans and the military than you'll find here in the Tennessee Valley."

Drolet said more than 500 guests have said they plan to attend the memorial's opening ceremony, which will begin at 9:30 a.m., following the Veterans Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the Von Braun Center.

As for the 20-year-old parade itself, "it's a massive affair this year," said Drolet, a past state president for the Association of the U.S. Army and an organizer of this year's Veterans Day events. "We have 130 registered entries - up from last year - 18 floats and six bands."

AUSA, which coordinated the Veterans Week of activities culminating today, will hand out thousands of flags for the parade crowd. Maj. Gen. James Rogers, commander of Redstone Arsenal and the Army Aviation and Missile Command, will be grand marshal.

The parade's route has been altered a bit for this year, so the marchers will pass by the Veterans Memorial a couple of moments after starting and turn "eyes right" to the dignitaries in the reviewing stand, including Lt. Gen. Richard Formica, commander of the Space and Missile Defense Command, the parade reviewing officer.